
Disclosure: Thunder Over Michigan provided admission and parking for this event for the purpose of this article and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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No matter what time of year it is, it’s never too early (or too late) to be thinking about the Thunder Over Michigan air show in Ypsilanti. Held at the Willow Run airport, the annual event brings together a huge collection of really cool aircraft, historical reenactments, and live air shows (we’re talking stunts, people standing on top of moving planes, you name it!). After missing out six years in a row, Brad and I finally made it to Thunder Over Michigan last summer, and let me tell you: it’s quite the spectacle.
When You Get There

What To Take With You

*Lunch (sandwiches, snacks, water bottles, and juice packs). There may be a snack truck or two (something like carnival-quality nachos), but don’t expect anything too extensive. Also, keep in mind that coolers, cans, and glass aren't allowed inside the venue (see more in "What NOT To Take" section below).
*Backpack with camera and any camera accessories. We also use our camera backpack to store other small items and cut down on extra bags (click here to see which backpack we use!)
*Sunscreen, sunglasses, rain gear (umbrella, rain jacket, etc.—you can never be too sure!)
*Camping chairs and/or picnic blanket (everyone brings these and having your own will help you claim a little spot to return to in between walking around the show)
*Whatever was in my purse that day (whatever you’d typically need)—ibuprofen, tissues, hand sanitizer, souvenir money, etc.
**Packing tip: try to limit yourself to essentials since you’ll either be carrying everything around with you all day or leaving it with your chairs in the general seating area (not recommended if you have anything valuable). And make sure to condense! I like to carry a small clutch instead of a purse, and it fits into our camera backpack. It’s more convenient and much less stress on my back and shoulders. :)
What NOT To Take With You

What You'll See/Experience


The Finale


Thunder Over Michigan Ticket Information

Here’s the number-one thing you need to know about visiting Thunder Over Michigan: the earlier you buy your tickets, the better. Tickets go on sale WAY before the event (like, a year ahead of time) and prices increase slightly as the show gets nearer. Here’s what the pricing tier looks like for the 2019 show:
*$30 before 12/31/18, $35 before 6/16/19, and $45 at the gate
*Parking as low as $10 prior to the event (depending on ticket purchase date) and $20 at the gate
Say you and your spouse decide to visit the air show and are debating whether you should buy your tickets early or wait until closer to the event. Two tickets purchased at the early bird price would be $60, and a discounted parking rate of $10 would bring your total to $70. Waiting to purchase those same tickets and parking pass at the gate would ring in at $110!

Good news for families: Kids 15 years and younger get in for half price, so you can save a little money there if you have multiple people in your crew. For more information about admission prices and VIP experiences, visit the official Thunder Over Michigan Air Show website here.
What To Do After The Show
Looking for something to do on your way out of the air show? Don’t miss the Yankee Air Museum (also at the Willow Run Airport) for an up-close look at additional aircraft and tons of WWII and Rosie the Riveter history (a super-cool experience for families, history buffs, and of course, airplane lovers)! Admission is FREE during the air show (a fantastic time to go!) and the experience perfectly complements the theme of the weekend.
If you’re thinking about dinner or shopping, head to nearby Ann Arbor or downtown Ypsilanti, both of which are colorful, creative areas with local shops and delicious food spots. For specific recommendations or questions, leave me a comment below and I’ll give you some of my best tips!
If you’re thinking about dinner or shopping, head to nearby Ann Arbor or downtown Ypsilanti, both of which are colorful, creative areas with local shops and delicious food spots. For specific recommendations or questions, leave me a comment below and I’ll give you some of my best tips!

Thunder Over Michigan 2019: Event Details
Dates: August 3rd & 4th, 2019
Location: Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, MI
For more details, visit the official website here